Best Tours and Day Trips from Munich

Here is a list of my favourite excursions from Munich to discover not only the city, but also the surrounding area.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

8 min read

Best Tours and Day Trips from Munich

The roofs of the historic centre of Munich | ©Klaas Brumann

The capital of the German state of Bavaria is known for being one of the cities with the best quality of life in the world, but it also has an important cultural and touristic load that takes the form of guided tours and excursions such as these:

1. Third Reich Guided Tour of Munich city centre

Marienplatz| ©@felixtriller
Marienplatz| ©@felixtriller

Munich is the third largest city in Germany and as such it is logical that it played an important role in the Second World War. To this day, Munich retains many remnants of what was one of the darkest eras in history; all of these are reviewed on the Third Reich guided tour through the centre of Munich.

This is a three-hour guided walking tour in which an expert guide shows you mythical places in the city of Munich that were very significant during this historical period. Some of them are:

Marienplatz

This is the starting point of the tour and is where the guide will explain an overview of how Nazism took hold in these and other cities. Near this square you will see several monuments commemorating the victims of the Third Reich.

Fuhrer Building

This is the 'Leader's Building'. A purpose-built building of great historical importance for Hitler.

Platz der Opfer des Nationalsozialismu (Square of the Victims of National Socialism)

This is the Square of the Victims of National Socialism. Near this square there are also monuments which, in addition to paying homage to the victims, also pay tribute to the work of the German resistance movements.

Ehrentempel

Temples of Honour, built by the Nazis in 1935; today only the remains remain.

Haus der Kunst

The House of Art. One of the few Nazi-built buildings still standing since the city of Munich was largely destroyed during World War II.

Useful information

  • This tour is available in English, German and Spanish. The tour organisers ensure that groups are limited to a maximum of 30 people, so that you can make the most of the explanations given by the guide.
  • To book a place, simply apply online and choose the day and time you would like to take the tour (if your plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a fee). Children under 13 years old can take this tour for free.

You will like this activity if

You are passionate about history and want to know more about this historical period and the influence it had on the city.

Book the Third Reich Tour of Munich

2. Guided tour through Munich's Old Town

Frauenkirche Church| ©Caitriana Nicholson
Frauenkirche Church| ©Caitriana Nicholson

If you are looking for a general tour of Munich where you won't miss anything, this is a good option. During the tour, your guide will take you to the most important places in the city and tell you the history of each of them without focusing on a specific historical period.

The tour lasts two hours, is on foot and is available in English and Spanish. It is designed for a maximum of 25 travellers, so you get the most out of the guide's explanations. A tip: don't hesitate to ask your guide anything you want to know about the city, its customs and the best places to eat or shop during your visit.

What you will see on this tour

  • Karlsplatz
  • Frauenkirche Church
  • Carillon Rathaus-Glockenspiel
  • Marienplatz
  • Viktualienmarkt
  • St Peter's Church
  • Residence of the royal family Wittelsbach
  • Odeonsplatz

You will like this activity if

If you have little time available and you want to make the most of it by seeing the most important places in Munich but without giving up explanations that will give you a more specialised and complete view of the city.

Book the guided tour of Munich

3. Guided bicycle tour of Munich

Odeonsplatz| ©Kamyar Adl
Odeonsplatz| ©Kamyar Adl

In Munich, cycling is a very popular mode of transport and a very practical way of getting around the city and covering longer distances. This tour of Munich by bike includes bike rental and the services of a specialised guide who will lead the group through the most important sights of Munich while explaining them to the group.

The tour lasts approximately three hours, and when you book online, you can choose to do the tour in English, Spanish or German. The best thing about this bike tour in Munich is that it allows you to see more out-of-the-way places than you would normally see on a walking tour, such as the famous beer garden of the Chinese Tower.

What you will see on this tour

  • Konigsplatz square built by Ludwig I
  • Germany's highest university
  • Odeonsplatz
  • The Eisbach Surf Wave
  • The largest city park in the world
  • The garden of the Chinese Tower

You will like this activity if

You want to tour Munich in a different way and get some exercise while combining green spaces with urban monuments.

Book the Munich bike tour

4. Guided tour of the Dachau Concentration Camp

Entrance to Dachau concentration camp| ©David Pursehouse
Entrance to Dachau concentration camp| ©David Pursehouse

Inevitably, the history of Germany will always be linked to one of the darkest periods of humanity: Nazism. To this day, there are several concentration camps that have been converted into museums and are a tribute to the memory of the victims. One of these camps is Dachau, which you can see on a guided tour of the Dachau concentration camp from Munich.

The experience includes transport and the services of a professional guide who accompanies you on the visit to the camp, something very necessary to put into context everything you are going to see there. The transport is adapted for wheelchair users and the minimum age for this tour is 14 years old. You can do the tour in English or Spanish.

After a 35-minute train journey from Munich (when you book online you will receive the tour voucher and information about the meeting point in the centre of Munich in your email), you will arrive at the Dachau camp.

What you will see on this tour

  • SS training camp
  • The Nandor Glid Memorial
  • The Count's Square
  • The monument to the unknown prisoner
  • The religious memorials
  • The administration building

You will like this activity if

If you are interested in the historical period of World War II. You can learn more about the details of this guided tour by reading this article about the Dachau concentration camp tour from Munich.

Book a tour to Dachau concentration camp

5. Day trip to Salzburg

Salzburg| ©zhang xiaoyu
Salzburg| ©zhang xiaoyu

If you've seen The Sound of Music, the Austrian city of Salzburg, on the German border, is sure to arouse your curiosity. It is located two hours from Munich and you can get there and back in one day with an organised guided tour. The day trip to Salzburg from Munich is available in English and Spanish.

The first thing you need to do is to book online and choose the day you would like to go on the tour. You will receive a voucher in your email as a receipt for the activity and information about the time you need to meet your guide at the central train station in Munich where your tour will start.

What you will see on this tour

  • Views of the Alps from the Salzach River
  • Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens
  • Salzburg Cathedral
  • Mozart's birthplace
  • The Old Town

You will like this activity if

You want to make the most of your trip to get to know other cities. Salzburg is a beautiful and charming city that will fascinate culture lovers.

6. Day trip to Rothemburg and Harburg

Rothemburg| ©I Do Nothing But Love
Rothemburg| ©I Do Nothing But Love

If you want to have a contrast to the city of Munich during your trip, this day trip to Rothemburg and Harburg is the perfect choice for you. Here you will see the so-called "Romantic Road of Germany" full of castles, mountains and villages. The beauty of these landscapes is ideal for a day trip and with an organised tour you will make the most of your time and be guided by an expert guide.

The town of Harburg is an hour and a half's drive from Munich and Rothemburg is another hour and a half's drive from this stop. If you book this tour online, you will travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, from where you will be able to admire the fabulous sceneryalong the way. Along the way you will be accompanied by a guide in the language of your choice when you book.

What you will see on this tour

  • The mountains and forests of Bavaria
  • Harburg Castle from the 11th century
  • The medieval town of Rothenburg

You will like this activity if

If you are a lover of scenery and would like a day of relaxation and tranquillity away from the big city of Munich.

Book a trip to Rothemburg and Harburg

7. Guided tour of the castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof

Neuschwanstein Castle| ©Rob Faulkner
Neuschwanstein Castle| ©Rob Faulkner

Germany is famous for its fairytale castles, two of the most important of which you can see on this organised tour to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. Departing from Munich in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle in just one day, you will not only see these castles, but also the beautiful scenery that surrounds them.

The tour includes return transport from Munich and the services of a multilingual guide, but not the entrance fees to both castles and lunch, which are at your own expense.

Both castles were built by Ludwig II and each of them has something special. Linderhof was built as a hunting lodge and has a Moorish pavilion inside. Neuschwanstein Castle, meanwhile, is said to have inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty and has a magnificent lookout point.

This activity will appeal to you if

If you are a lover of fairy tales and medieval stories and if you are also curious about the Bavarian landscapes you will see during the tour.

Book an excursion to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof

Other recommended activities

Sightseeing bus through the streets of Munich| ©Paul Burroughs
Sightseeing bus through the streets of Munich| ©Paul Burroughs

In addition to touring Munich on foot, a great way to get a feel for the city is to take a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Munich. It's comfortable, easy, and allows you to get a general overview of the city and then delve into each of its neighbourhoods on your own.

One of the most popular excursions from Munich is to Neuschwanstein Castle, a medieval fantasy that I recommend you not to miss. You can read more about this experience here: How to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle.

And finally, I recommend reading more about tours to Dachau Concentration Camp before booking this tour, as you will know all the details about this terrible yet impressive place and why it is a must-see on your trip to Munich.